MUMBAI IS having heavy rains for the past three days, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today announced a high tide alert. Schools have closed, train services are disrupted on the central and the harbour lines, and this is hampering the normal flow of life in Mumbai.

Colaba recorded 178.6 mm of rainfall and Santacruz 232. 6 mm since 8.30 am yesterday, according to the Met Department, so today the BMC had to issue a high tide alert. Water logging, sewage overflowing are some of the major problems being faced by the people going out to work in Mumbai.

A civic official said, “A tide measuring 4.63 mtr will hit the coast around 12.15 pm. Any tide above 4.50 mtr is a high tide.” The weather forecast says something of a similar kind as heavy to very heavy rains are expected in some suburban areas of Mumbai.

Several hutmen were evacuated from near the Mithi River. Apart from that 33 people were also evacuated with the help of Mumbai Fire Brigade from a resort in Palghar. The central and the harbour train lines are temporarily closed due to water logging. Central Railway PRO A K Singh said, “Train services on Central Railway and Harbour lines are closed for some time. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Once the water recedes on tracks, we will start the services.” Not only the trains but due to the visibility level coming down to 450 metres, air traffic in the two city airports has also been affected. On Monday, Mumbai was resonant with the pitter-patter of the rains and the horns and blows of the taxi cab, and cars were absent as most of the people stayed indoors. Even offices were closed.